“You took out two Shades by yourself when a Desire nearly got the better of you?” Abner asked. He raised his eyebrows underneath the brim of his hat.
“Mandel killed once instantly and I managed to shank the other before finishing it off,” Gareth said. There was a note of pride in his voice.
“We were back here hours ago,” Gunthos said. He staggered over to the boy, drunk, and placed his hand on his shoulder. “The Citadel isn’t that big for you to spend hours wandering its hall.”
“I lied alright. I went to a whorehouse, had myself a good time and forgot myself,” Gareth said. “I’m sorry.”
“And did the whores want your cock or your coin more?” Gunthos asked.
“I’ll bend you over and show you if you like,” Gareth said.
“Alright, come on,” Abner said. “We’re on a mission until we get back to the Huntrey.”
“When have you been so uptight about missions, Ab? I know you and Lois get together pretty much every night,” Gunthos said. “And I personally wouldn’t mind the little man showing me what he can do.”
“In your dreams,” Gareth said.
“Oy! Enough!” Lois said. “Seriously you two cut it out. We’re done here. We’ve got the body count and we need to get back to Tyrain to cash in. The wolves haven’t been seen here for weeks and they’ve probably moved on. Do either of you two know when we last killed one?”
“Two months ago,” Abner said. “That’s not enough. We’ve only killed three in the time we’ve been hunting them.”
“Sure we’ve got just under two hundred Vampires in the bag from this little expedition and that will keep us going. The Huntrey put us out in the field first against the wolves and now there are more of them than ever. We have a job to do,” Lois said.
“Of course,” Gunthos said. “We need to focus and get the job done. Ready to go?”
“I’m sure we could stock up on whatever is left here and take it with us. The horses can always carry more,” Abner said. “Bring your beer if you want, Gunthos.”
Gunthos walked around checking each of the caskets on the wall, tapping each one until he found one that was full to the brim. “This’ll do me,” he said.
“Right, are we all set now?” Abner asked. “Good let’s go.”
Abner was happy to see Etia behind him. In the eight years he had been traveling he wished to never again be inside its walls. It was inevitable that he would one day return to the snow covered, black capital of Alilletia. He longed to return to his home, the Tyrainian Huntrey that lay almost a week to the south.
“Miserable bastards manning the walls back there,” Gareth said trying to brighten the party. “Wouldn’t let me pass through the gates with Mandel, or at least until the Captain came out and told them to leave me be.”
“No time for talking, we’ve got a lot of ground to cover,” Abner said.
“Do you ever stop to think, Toldar? About all those people you’ve left behind or not been able to save?” Gareth asked. “Family you could have held just a little longer or a little tighter?”
Abner paused, bringing Nagor to a halt. The other Hunters all reigned in around him. “Can this wait until we back to the Huntrey? I’m not in the mood to talk.”
“I think there’s no time like the present,” Gareth said. His blue eyes sparkled with anticipation of Abner’s next move.
“I have no need of you, Gareth. You had potential; I wanted to take you under my guidance and train you further. You delaying us is not only delaying our mission, but your training,” Abner said. “Now can we move on?”
“Forget the boy, Ab, he’s nothing to us,” Lois said.
“Aye, Lois is right,” Gunthos said.
Abner frowned taking in the advice the two people he cared about most had given him. “We’ll make camp here tonight. We’re far enough away from the city.”
“Have you gone mad Ab?” Lois said. “There’s nothing here, no cover, no food or water.”
“We’ve survived worse. Remember the storm going out to the Islands? We survived that didn’t we?” Abner asked.
“Waves over fifty meters high roaring over the sails, crashing onto the ship, of course I remember Ab,” Lois said. Two Hunters had perished on the journey. “I won’t forget something like that so quickly. I thought I was going to die.”
“You’re both weak. Those storms were nothing compared to what we usually see on the Islands,” Gunthos said.
The Islander was right. His dark skin told the story enough of what he had been born into. Even though he had long since been removed from his homeland, the moment he stepped onto the ship, the Islander had been more than ready to take up a post and see them through the voyage. Lois had almost been swept overboard once, only to be saved by their large companion.
“Stop rubbing it in Gunthos, you were bred for those storms,” Gareth said. “Islanders all think they are the god’s gift when it comes to the seas. What you did was nothing special.”
“You little fuck; I’ll hang your head by the sails if you insult my skills at sea once again!” Gunthos said.
“Gunthos! There will be no killing of the novice!” Abner said.
“You started this shit first, black man,” Gareth said.
“Oh that’s it,” Gunthos said. He drew his crossbow and pointed it at Gareth.
“Oy!” Abner said drawing is crossbow, pointing it at Gunthos. “He insulted you, grow the fuck up and get over it.”
“Of course you defend him,” Gunthos said.
“Everyone needs to calm down here!” Lois said. “Gareth, stay the fuck away from Gunthos. Gunthos stay the fuck away from Gareth and everybody will be happy.”
“Thank you,” Abner said. “Weapons down. Gareth I want you to gather firewood. Gunthos I want you preparing the food.”
“And what will you two be doing,” Gunthos asked when he realized Abner hadn’t given either of them tasks.
“Pitching our tent, testing it out and making plans for the remainder of our journey,” Abner said with a straight face.
A short while later, Abner was laid on his back outstretched watching and waiting for the flap on the tent to peel back and reveal Lois’s fine figure. He didn’t have to wait long. She ducked into the tent and smiled quickly at him.
“Are you ready?” she asked.
“I’ve been waiting all day,” he said.
He was already naked and waiting, gently touching his shaft, preparing himself for her. His fluids already glistened over the tip as he thought about her naked body sliding over his. Each time they lay together, the smoothness of her skin and touch always aroused something deep inside him. Their love making was slow as Lois gently rode Abner to her climax. Her hands ran through his short hair, gripping on where they could, pulling his mouth into her chest as he began to thrust into her.
“We should do this more often,” he said.
“You always want us in the saddle,” Lois said.
“You know I’m always eager to try new things, Lou,” Abner said.
Her only reply was to sigh as she sunk back down onto him, filling her insides completely. She shuddered, releasing all of the built-up tension between her legs, digging her fingers into Abner’s chest.
“Fuck, Lois!” he said.
“Keep it down in there, you two!” Gunthos said. “If I’m cooking your fucking dinner, I don’t need to be disturbed.”
Lois grinned wildly and fluttered her eyes, pushing herself harder onto Abner increasing her pleasure, forcing an even louder moan from her.
“Alright, fuck it you can cook your own tonight!” Gunthos said.
Both Abner and Lois laughed. There was even a small chuckle from Gareth. “Sorry Gunner,” Abner said. “I’ll get her to stop.”
There was one louder moan as Lois reached her proper, full climax.
“I’ve had enough!” Gunthos said.
“On your back,” Abner said.
“Yes, Abner,” Lois said. She rolled off him, making
sure to tease him with her body along the way.
“You do that so well,” he said.
“I know.” Lois rolled onto her back spreading her legs wide open. Abner pressed himself in between her drenched legs, sliding in gently. “Harder.”
“But Gunthos,” Abner said.
“You know he doesn’t give a fuck. Hurry up and fuck me like you mean it,” Lois said, grabbing his ass pushing him in further. “Harder, now!”
“No!” they heard Gunthos complain from outside.
Abner placed his hand over Lois’s mouth as he thrust quickly inside her. Her eyes widened with each quickening thrust, building to his own climax. Lois’s muttered groans filled Abner’s ears, not spreading out to Gunthos and Gareth.
“Are they always like this?”
“Yep,” Gunthos said.
Abner pushed faster, eager to finish, but not ahead of Lois. She quivered with every heartfelt thrust that sent waves of pleasure coursing through her body that was only intensified when he touched her lips roughly with his.
Their bodies withered and hammered away at each other, seemingly in time, both desperate for Abner to reach his climax. He felt it building further, deep within him, ready to bust from him at any second.
“Lois!”
Panting, Lois gripped tighter urging him to finish completely, until satisfied she released, letting out a huge sigh.
“Food’s ready,” Gunthos said a few minutes later.
“Smells good, Gunner,” Lois said. She emerged from the tent once again fully dressed in her armor having pulled it on hastily. “What do we have?”
“Took some beef from the tavern and Gareth managed to find us a bunch of berries,” Gunthos said.
“Better than what we usually manage to find,” Abner said. “You’ve done well Gareth, thank you.”
“I cooked the fucking thing didn’t I?” Gunthos said.
“You did well, Gunner,” Abner said.
“Thank you; it’s not hard to get a little recognition around here is it?” Gunthos asked.
Abner studied the older Hunter that had long since become his friend in the last eight years. It had taken time for him to come around to both Abner and Lois; hopefully he would be the same with Gareth.
The small group ate in silence, the horses tethered to a nearby tree. Gareth had allowed Mandel to hunt in the mountains for whatever he could find. With the dire wolf’s keen senses he would be able to easily find prey even in this desolate place. The food was excellent, even by Gunthos’s standards. All children in the Galasos Islands were taught to make food out of almost anything, well before they were allowed to leave the Islands.
It was part of why they were so successful when they came to the mainland. The Islanders would be able to survive in even the most rugged conditions. It was said they wrestled bears and killed them with their bare hands as a rite of passage. Gunthos had neither confirmed nor denied the fact. He was certainly big enough.
Gareth looked up from his plate turning around frowning. “Mandel should be back.”
“The wolf will take his time, little Hunter. They are patient creatures, much like you should be,” Gunthos said.
“Mandel knows how long I give him to hunt,” Gareth said.
“Mandel is a wolf. He does not understand the basis of time,” Gunthos said, beginning to get frustrated with his young companion.
“I miss him,” Gareth said.
A low howl rolled across the hills making the Hunters jump to their feet. Each of them but Gareth reached for their crossbows.
“It’s them,” Lois said.
“It sounds like Mandel,” Gareth said.
“Trust me, lad, it’s not,” Gunthos said.
“If it’s not Mandel, it has to be…”
“It’s them, the ones we hunt. They’re here,” Abner said.
7
The White Ghosts
The group of Hunters stood with their backs to the small campfire, watching for any sign of the unforgettable white fur of the wolves. Abner would never forget the first time the dark red eyes had met his, all those years ago. He feared them.
Gareth eyed his surroundings. “Where are they?”
“Far away for now,” Abner said. “Your wolf. Where is he?”
“I wouldn’t have a clue,” Gareth said. “Mandel could be anywhere.”
“I’m not fucking finding him,” Lois said looking out into the snow-covered wasteland.
Without the sun, it was dangerous enough to navigate in this part of the world. Normal wolves and bears posed enough of a threat. While the Hunters night vision would help them, the predators of the wilds would be in control. With the increased risk of running into their most desired prey, Abner didn’t like their chances of finding Mandel alive.
“It’s stupid to go out alone. You won’t find your wolf,” Gunthos said, lowering his crossbow, satisfied none of the other wolves were nearby.
“What do you call them?” Gareth asked.
“The wolves we’re hunting? White Ghosts. For the colour of their fur and they appear out of nowhere like ghosts. One day we can kill one and then not see or hear any for months on end. This is the first night in months we have heard them,” Abner said. “We have to make a kill tonight. We’re going out.”
“As much as I didn’t want to,” Gunthos said. “You’re right Ab. We need the kill and take it back to the Huntrey. I’m ready to ride.”
“As am I,” Lois said. She walked over to Mirabel. The horse neighed at her master’s touch.
“I need to find Mandel, that’s reason enough for me,” Gareth said mounting his own beast. “What’s the plan, Toldar?”
“You’ll be on your own, dangerous I know, but you need to find your wolf and we need to hunt. We should be loud enough that they’ll come for us giving you the time you need to find Mandel,” Abner said.
“Thank you,” Gareth said.
Abner looked to the sky, assessing it. “If you’re not back here by first light, we ride without you. No exceptions.”
“Don’t fuck up this time,” Lois said.
Abner pointed in the direction of the peaks in the north, heading back close to Etia. “That’s where Mandel went?”
Gareth nodded. “He appeared to be going in that direction.”
Two sudden growls ripped through the mountain air, sending chills up the Hunter’s spines. There was a howl from another wolf, closer than the last.
“There’s more than one,” Lois said. “We could very well die tonight.”
“Waiting for them to come to us, or taking the fight to them,” Gunthos said. “Those are your choices and I know which one I’m taking.”
“It’s settled, let’s ride,” Abner said.
As the Hunters travelled to the north through the mountains, Abner couldn’t help but feel nervous. The last time they had attempted to kill the White Ghosts in the darkness had ended badly. The ten Hunters of their party had quickly been reduced to five with two gravely injured. Freezing winds rose around the small party of Hunters as they pushed deeper into the mountain ranges.
A bird chirped in a nearby tree, Abner flinched his finger nearly loosening a bolt at the harmless creature. Hairs on the back of his neck began to rise and not because of the cold. They were being followed. He spun again to find a wolf in the sights of his crossbow. It wasn’t one of the White Ghosts.
This wolf was smaller, bleeding from several wounds across its face, an eye ripped from its socket. Mandel limped into view, one of his back legs dangling at an awkward angle.
“Gareth, we’ve found your wolf,” Abner said. A lump rose in his throat.
The look on Gareth’s face turned when he saw his companion broken and battered. The fire that once burned in Mandel’s eyes was now extinguished. As the beast drew closer it was clear that the wolf was dead on his feet. Massive claws had been raked across his side that now left his flank in a bloodied red mass, the cold air clotting the wounds.
Gareth dismounted and sprin
ted to his wolf that collapsed in a heap of snow sending up puffs of white spray around him.
“Help me!” Gareth said. Tears streamed down his face.
Abner and Gunthos turned outwards, their crossbows ready while Lois went to assist Gareth. She kneeled beside him taking one look at the wolf, shaking her head. Mandel’s uneven breathing was a troubling sign.
“He’s not going to make it,” Lois said.
“He’s been through worse,” Gareth said. “He can make it.”
Another ear-splitting howl tore through the cooling air. “Hurry it up!” Abner said. “They’re going to find us.”
“I can’t leave him here!”
“You’re going to have to. It’s either the wolf dies here and alone, or we all get our bones ground into the snow here. Your fucking choice, boy!” Gunthos said.
Gareth looked up at the Islander in disgust. “You’ve never had a companion as close to this dying by your side. We’re not leaving him!”
“I lost a brother to these Ghosts, don’t you tell me what I don’t know.”
Another howl echoed around the hills, closer this time. The White Ghosts were on the hunt.
“Lois, we’re going,” Abner said. “I’m not having them find us here.”
“Ab,” Lois said. “We owe him.”
“We owe him nothing,” Gunthos said. “He’s been nothing but a burden ever since we saved him in that inn. You coming with me, Ab?”
“We don’t have the numbers to take on multiple ghosts,” he said.
“I’m sorry,” Lois said. She’d made her decision. “I have to go.”
She mounted Mirabel without another word and the three Hunters fled from the howls of the White Ghosts, leaving Gareth alone in the snow. Sorrow turned to anger as the Hunters became nothing more than shadows in the distance.
“I will not bury you here and I will not rest until I have avenged you,” Gareth said into the dying wolf’s ear. “I’m sorry.” A flash of silver was all that passed between wolf and master one last time before Mandel groaned, now released from the pain he was in.
The Toldar Series Box Set Page 46
